News

On Monday August 1st and Tuesday August 2nd, Orange County Public Works performed what is known by pavement experts as an a/c grind and overlay: a new fresh top coat of asphalt to the rest of us laypersons!

This was a project our Chamber of Commerce asked for in 2021 and OCPW was able to incorporate as part of the larger south Antonio Parkway project that will provide the same treatment from the Covenant Hills gate entrance at Antonio Parkway, through Rancho Mission Viejo, down to Ortega Highway set to start on Monday, August 8th. The majority of the work will occur at night.

The work on Daisy Street refreshes the top layer, which should be good for another 20 years. The Chamber thanks Orange County Public Works and 5th District Supervisor Lisa Bartlett and her team for a job very well done!

Street maintenance is an ongoing effort as the community has passed its 22nd birthday with much of the original construction still intact, but showing its age. 

Several other streets are getting close to needing refreshes as well including Crown Valley Parkway, Windmill, Dorrance, Cecil Pasture and Sellas. We will continue to provide the community with updates!

The Chamber has been working with Orange County Public Works and 5th District Supervisor Lisa Bartlett's Office for several years on a couple of these proposed projects and they will commence August 1st!

We apologize in advance for any inconveniences they may cause the community but they will be worth it in the long term!

We'll let your know if the schedule changes in any way.

The Ladera Summer Concert Season got into full swing on Friday, July 15th as residents rocked out with Slapbak's funk edge, sprinkled in with a splash of blues and a dash of jazz! The Mighty Untouchables are playing this Friday, the 22nd from 6:30 - 8:30 pm and our local restaurants are offering Carry-out Concert Packs for your convenience. The following are participating:

• Board & Brew - bagged sandwich $9 - $11 and $5 canned beer: (949) 503-1265
• Forte Mediterranean Bistro - beef gyro or chicken wrap (4 types) and French fries, $10.99: (949) 388-7999
• Joe's Italian Food - drinks, cocktails (doubles $22) and any food to go: (949) 438-1338
• Mama's Comfort Food & Cocktails - Kids eat FREE, regular and Happy Hour food items and drinks to go: (949) 889-2600
• Pino's Cucina - $40 family combo includes your choice of pasta with marinara sauce, a Mista salad and bread that feeds 4 - 5 people. Protein upgrades available: (949) 388-4931
• Pokeworks - Ohana catering pack, everything you need to build your own bowls for 6 - 8 people and a FREE quart of Dole Whip, $65: (949) 561-1600
• Rancho Capistrano Winey - 20% off a to go pizza and a bottle of wine purchased together, $3 extra for plastic wine carafe and glasses: (949) 542-8340
• Selma's - Large pizza and beer growler to go, $5 off: (949) 388-7260
• Xclusive - Order dinner and cocktails to go - Family Packs are available: (949) 339-3545

While LARCS is busy making all of the preps at Founders Park, we will be moving over to Cox Sports Park for the July 3rd market only! So come see us there!

It's no secret that bike adoption is growing in our community - especially ebikes. Residents have been complaining about their operation since early in the pandemic. 

Late last year the Chamber and the Civic Council began working collaboratively to develop a list of improvements the County could implement to make bike transport safer in Ladera Ranch. We noticed streets that were missing bike lanes completely when they seemed wide enough to accommodate them.  

In February, we submitted a comprehensive list of locations with recommendations for improvements from the easiest to implement to the more difficult requiring funding and engineering. We will detail all of those requests in a subsequent posting. 

The county, under Supervisor Lisa Bartlett's leadership, responded and here is the first of those proposed charges. Residents are encouraged to provide feedback.

We think you'll agree that the changes are necessary and will result in the safer co-existence between cars and bicycles!

After 2 years of virtual runs, the Freedom Run returns LIVE, IN-PERSON this year!

The Freedom Run is a Ladera Ranch tradition, in its 16th year, that is the kick off event in Ladera's fantastic Fourth of July community festivities. It benefits local charities: James Henry Ransom Foundation, Laura’s House and us, the Ladera Rancho Chamber of Commerce.

Sponsorship is a great way to give your business visibility and to show the community you support them, as they support you!

See the attached levels below and reach out to Todd Stearns with any questions (949-436-1868):

This is sure to be a fun event for the kids!

Participating businesses include:

Code Ninjas, Mama's, Kumon, Row House, Stews, NuAge Spa, Board & Brew, Z Pizza, OCMA, Thai Fix, Touch of Jane, Legends, Barrels & Birdies, The Sweet Hand and Westar.

The County of Orange, in partnership with the Orange County Workforce Development Board (OCWDB),  California Office of the Small Business Advocate, U.S. Small Business Administration, Orange County Small Business Development Center, SCORE, Orange County Public Libraries, City of Garden Grove, City of Irvine, City of Laguna Niguel, City of Mission Viejo, City of Rancho Santa Margarita, City of Santa Ana,  Special District of Rossmoor, and various Chambers of Commerce including the Ladera Rancho Chamber is awarding grants to assist qualified microbusinesses in Orange County that have been significantly impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.

Qualified microbusiness means an entity that meets and self-certifies, under penalty of perjury, all of the following criteria:

• The microbusiness began its operation prior to December 31, 2019.

• The microbusiness is currently active and operating or has a clear plan to reopen when the state permits reopening of the business.

• The microbusiness was significantly impacted by COVID-19 pandemic.

• The microbusiness had less than fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) in revenues in the 2019 taxable year.

• The microbusiness currently has fewer than five full-time equivalent employees and had fewer than five full-time equivalent employees in the 2019 and 2020 taxable years.

• The microbusiness is not a business excluded from participation in the California Small Business COVID-19 Relief Grant Program, as specified in paragraph (2) of subdivision (f) of Section 12100.82.

  Visit the link here for more info

  
  

Like our California image, the Mercantile West Shopping Center has gone from boom to bust and is in the process of hitting the mother lode again. It has been the site of more business closures than any other retail center in Ladera. And just 24 months ago, the center was a virtual ghost town after 6pm.

Residents were beyond frustrated at the lack of desirable businesses. Then Stater Bros. opened a bright, airy new-concept store, generating traffic to the center all hours of the day and bringing visibility to the smaller tenants.

If You Open It, We Will Support It

Property manager Westar conducted market research to determine what types of businesses Ladera residents wanted. The feedback was overwhelming: quality food and drink. That clarified Westar’s task: find the right businesses. And find them they did. 

Mama’s on 39^th planned to open Mama’s Comfort Food & Cocktails in the Casa Ranchero space and Joe’s Italian Restaurant was slated for the former Cinnamon Productions spot. Both were experienced restauranters: Mama’s had three locations and Joe’s operated Pepino’s. Both offer popular, quality menu items made from scratch at reasonable prices and even have Happy Hour.

Real Estate Agent Amy Sims’ new office and Code Ninjas were already open, when the pandemic hit. Many businesses were forced to reduce their capacity or close. “It was a little scary. Numerous times I was like, what am I doing?” said Joe Moscatello, who co-owns Joe’s with his girlfriend, Denise Silva. 

But both General Manager of Mama’s, Robert Corrigan, and Moscatello saw value in Ladera’s central location and access to surrounding communities and persevered with their plans. Local resident Abby Longo opened her cupcake decorating and party venue The Sweet Hand October 2^nd, 2021 with the support of the deaf or hard-of-hearing community.

Brittany De Anda opened her beauty concept Med Lounge on October 28^th to a huge opening and tour of her state-of-the-art facility in what used to be E. Madison facing the Towne Green Park. 

Then, on Jan 28^th of 2022 we cut the ribbon of Board & Brew in the former Project Pie space. Owner Jacob Clemons loved the strong family orientation of the area and said he is anxious to build partnerships with community groups. 

The center is now packed with activity, especially at dinner, with residents anxious to try the new hot spots. These additions have helped unlock the potential in Mercantile West.

Give Us Wine We’ll Be Fine!

In Feburary, Rancho Capistrano Winery - with its popular wine club - will bring a tenth eatery to the center in the only free-standing restaurant space in Ladera. 

The Mercantile West Shopping Center has quickly morphed into one of the hottest new venues in South Orange County to dine out and socialize!

-Todd Stearns